PLACE PREVIEW - BILL PEIRCE MEDAL WIDE OPEN
Andrew Thomson
The Bill Peirce Medal will be awarded again tonight in what promises to be a thrilling vote count, with a group of midfielders this year expected to fight it out.
The Western Magpies will host their Gala Event and Presentation Dinner tonight at the Sherwood DAFC clubrooms commencing at 7 pm.
The medal favourites look likely to come from the midfield group with Tom Ielasi, Gareth Crawford, Ben Jaenke-Cain and Drew Mitchell likely to poll well after consistent contributions throughout the year giving them all a chance to take out the coveted medal. Others in the mix could be young ruckman Aaron Highlands who did a magnificent job for a youngster, playing every game and carrying the ruck load for most of the season and defender Harry Marshall who was a quality defender all season, often against larger opponents. Charlie Pershouse will gain votes in most of the matches he played but likely missed too many games to be in the final mix, the same would apply to the likes of Lachlan Saunders and Jack Goodall.
Skipper Mitchell was solid all season and tough on baller Crawford had a good year and finished the season off strongly. 2014 Bill Peirce Medallist Jaenke-Cain was his usual prolific ball winner and Ielasi was impressive with his clean ball handling skills and ability to link up in transition.
David Lewis is the unlucky one as he would most likely to have been leading the voting until he was injured in Round 9 – he was magnificent across half back in almost every match he played until injured prior to the mid-season break.